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Black Tie

Hosting Avant-Garde for the 27th year are Larry Thompson and his wife, Pat. This year's theme is Dancing Through the Decades and the attire did not disappoint.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • March 1, 2026
Ringling College's Avant-Garde dances through the decades

Ringling College of Art and Design's annual costumed gala celebrated its 30th year and the legacy of its leader, Larry Thompson, who is retiring at the end of the school year.

  • Black Tie
Event co-Chair Melonie Favorite and Conrad Kenley
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • March 1, 2026
Asolo Repertory Theatre goes Aquarius for annual gala

Asolo hosts its annual fundraiser at Mote SEA to raise money to support the actors, musicians and artists that make its 2025-26 season possible.

  • Black Tie
Junior League President Corey Talbot and keynote speaker India White
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 28, 2026
Junior League welcomes hometown hero back for Legacy Luncheon

Keynote speaker and Sarasota native India White shared her inspirational story of resilience and success at the organization's annual luncheon.

  • Black Tie
Amy and Matt Brame
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 23, 2026
The Haven goes to Studio 54 for All Abilities on the Floor

It's the nonprofit's fourth annual fundraiser to benefit its mission of providing programs and services for adults and children with disabilities.

  • Black Tie
Event co-chair Kim Becker, Lynn Racus and Rose Huro
  • By None
  • February 22, 2026
Guests of Florida Cancer Specialists enjoy a night of art and music

The FCS Foundation celebrated artists who have survived cancer by highlighting their work at its annual gala.

  • Black Tie
Carl Mario Nudi, Sarafina Murphy-Gibson, Ivy Sunflower, Marina Elaine and Sarah Jefferies on the promenade deck.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 20, 2026
Unconventional Evening hosts 10 eras of the high school prom experience

Sarasota Art Museum celebrated all the nostalgic teen memories, from the 1920s through the 2020s, at its interactive event where attendees could 'be the art.'

  • Black Tie
Melissa Douberly, Tyson Babb, Lisa Jayne Warren-Wallace and Gina and David Warren dig the vibe of the "Get Your Groove On" theme and the cocktail hour.
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 20, 2026
Cooking for Wishes serves up funk, flavor and dreams that do come true

The event raised over $1.1 million for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida's Suncoast Chapter, and granted a wish for fifth grader Keegan Hipsher to go to Switzerland.

  • Black Tie
Abbie and Rudolph Brothers
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 16, 2026
Gamma Xi Boule Foundation parties with a purpose

The organization's annual Valentine at the Ritz raises money to provide underserved youth in Sarasota and Manatee counties with scholarships, internships and mentoring programs.

  • Black Tie
Mette Milland and Toni Schemmel
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 16, 2026
Healthy Start Sarasota hosts Together We Bloom at Brown's Grove

The garden chic fundraising gala was the perfect Valentine's Day night out for the 225 guests in attendance.

  • Black Tie
Savannah Holds and Carl Haan
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota Players Play On in their new Payne Park space

At its annual fundraiser, the community theater welcomed guests to see its new home at the Payne Park Auditorium before its transformation begins.

  • Black Tie
Chris and Angie Wellman
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 8, 2026
SCF Foundation hosts Bourbon, Brews & BBQ to support students

The State College of Florida Foundation held the event as part of its Avenues to the Future initiative, which raises money to help students in higher education.

  • Black Tie
Charlie aand Chrystal Bailey, Morgan and Liz Bentley and Renee James Gilmore
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 8, 2026
Orchid Ball dazzles with 'Nature of Abstraction' theme

The theme of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' annual gala was in line with its new exhibit, 'Alexander Calder: The Nature of Movement.'

  • Black Tie
Harlan Coben and Emily Walsh
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 7, 2026
Harlan Coben leads with laughter at Love Our Libraries Luncheon

The best-selling author best known for his thrillers showed off his humorous side at the Library Foundation for Sarasota County's annual event, which boasted a sellout crowd of more than 600.

  • Black Tie
Candace Copeland, Julie Rania and America Jones
    By
  • Lori Sax
  • February 6, 2026
Taste of Thunder rolls into Lakewood Ranch

The tasting event gathered Thunder by the Bay supporters together a week before the music and motors festival begins in Sarasota.

  • Black Tie
Jeff and Lisa Silvershein with Natasha and Colin Reisner
    By
  • Janet Combs
  • February 2, 2026
Elon Gold headlines premiere of Catskills After Dark

The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee welcomed nearly 400 guests its inaugural comedy fundraiser to benefit Safe SRQ, which provides security for the Jewish community across organizations in the area.

  • Black Tie
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Latest News

1
Entering this season, Braden River softball hadn't won a district title in seven years. The squad is now two wins away from a state championship.
  • May 14, 2026
Braden River High softball advances to state semifinals
2
A lane closure will affect traffic on the John Ringling Causeway during an FDOT maintenance project.
  • May 14, 2026
Roadwork will close Ringling Causeway lane at Bird Key
3
Holiday House SRQ's Megan Micale, executive director, and Sepi Ackerman, co-founder and executive president, say a grant would allow for 350 Title I students to receive school uniforms, shoes and a holiday experience.
  • May 14, 2026
Sisterhood for Good hosts annual Grant Expo in Lakewood Ranch
4
Richard Frank Wokoun
  • May 14, 2026
Richard Frank Wokoun
5
Karie Friling makes brief comments to the Sarasota City Commission during her visit to the May 4 commission meeting.
  • May 14, 2026
New city manager calls career in public service 'most noble of professions'

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